A time for reflection

The quarter is over in just a few weeks, and for all of us this means transition. Often we equate the end of the school year with graduation, and for those graduating, the changing from a student to a member of the workforce. This is a very important transition, but there are others taking place that we might not realize right away. For freshmen, this means transitioning from being new college students to students with a year under their belt. For sophomores and juniors, this means transitions as well. Sophomores, you are one step closer to graduation and you are moving into upperclassmen status. Juniors, you will begin the transition to senior year and with it, the applying to graduate schools or looking for jobs.

Each of these transitions is an important one, and I write this week to encourage all of you to take a few moments and savor your accomplishments. Freshmen, you have made it through your first year at Rose! You may not have done as well in your classes as you wished, you may not have done all of the things you thought you were supposed to do, but you have made it through the year and you should be proud of yourselves. A time will come, maybe next year, when you look back on your first year here at Rose with a mix of nostalgia and humor. You will remember the good times and the relationships you have made. Sophomores, I have been told that the sophomore year here at Rose is the hardest. Well, you got through, and that is an accomplishment. You have made it through a tough year and are one step closer to graduation. Juniors, in just a few months you will begin your senior year and you will begin the mad dash to the end of your undergraduate career. You are one step closer and another year wiser. Seniors, congratulations! You are almost done, and you may be going on to graduate school or employment. Either way, you will no longer be an undergraduate, and as anxiety-provoking as that can be, it is a truly amazing and wonderful feat. You may not be aware of this, but only about 25% of people over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree. You will be graduating, and with that you will have succeeded at quite an accomplishment.

Although the end of the year and the transitions that come with it may seem daunting and anxiety provoking, I write this to remind you to take some time and admire your accomplishments. Oftentimes I have seen that with the ending of a school year, students become so overwhelmed that they forget to take a moment and reflect. I encourage you to find some time in these next few weeks to sit and reflect. Remember the good times with friends, the late nights getting work done or hanging out, and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or disorder. Nor is it intended to replace a consultation with a mental health provider.